Psychosis

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if it is his policy that by 2004 all young people who experience a first episode of psychosis should be offered the choice of being prescribed atypical medicines. [13849]

[holding answer 12 November 2001]: As indicated in the mental health policy implementation guide, early intervention in psychosis teams should use either low dose traditional or atypical antipsychotics in first line treatment and they should involve service users in decision making and monitoring of effects. The NHS Plan states that by 2004 all young people who experience a first episode of psychosis, such as schizophrenia, will receive the early and intensive support they need.